IPC sale number two: Guitar & Bass to Anthem Publishing

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IPC Media has today confirmed the sale of Guitar & Bass – the second title it has sold as part of a drive to dispose of the vast majority of its specialist magazines.

The magazine giant is selling the niche music title for an undisclosed sum to the Anthem Publishing – producer of ten music and food magazines, which include Music Tech and Guitar Tech.

IPC Media said there would be no interruption to the publishing schedule of Guitar & Bass as the deal takes place with immediate effect and its staff is transfering to the new publisher.

Jon Bickley said: “It is [Guitar & Bass] a wonderful title with a great heritage, and is the perfect complement to Music Tech, Guitar Tech and our other creative publications.

‘We’re also pleased to be able to retain the whole editorial team and display sales executive in our newly opened Croydon office.”

Press Gazette understands that Anthem Publishing is not in talks with IPC Media about the likely purchase of any more of its titles.

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The sale of Guitar & Bass comes on the heels of IPC’s sale earlier this week of Cage & Aviary Birds to specialist magazine and book publisher Kelsey Publishing.

Britain’s only bird keeping weekly became the first IPC title to be sold since a strategic review of IPC concluded that it was necessary for the publisher to sell a number of its smaller titles.

The magazine giant is now engaged in talks with several other independent magazine publishers over likely magazine sales.

IPC is also advanced talks with Vitality Publishing, owner of gay lifestyle magazine Attitude, over the sale of lads’ mag Loaded and other titles – believed to be SuperBike magazine, horoscope title Prediction and HiFi News.

Press Gazette also understands that IPC has held talks over the likely sale of its Web User magazine, with Dennis Publishing believed to be taking an interest in the title.

The UK’s largest magazine publisher is also poised to sell its World Soccer magazine, Racecar Engineering and Classic Boat to the Chelsea Magazine Company.

In addition, it’s understood that IPC holding further talks with Kelsey over the likely sale of its Ships Monthly title, Aeroplane Monthly magazine, Park Home & Holiday Caravan and MiniWorld